Below Average
#1923 of 2,216 schools in MO
Clifford H. Nowlin Middle
Middle School · INDEPENDENCE 30
2800 S HARDY AVE, Independence, MO 64052
Enrollment
886
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
886
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Independence
#22 of 35
public schools
Missouri middle schools
#353 of 390
In district
#15 of 28
INDEPENDENCE 30
About Clifford H. Nowlin Middle
Clifford H. Nowlin Middle School serves 886 students in grades 6-8 in Independence, Missouri. With 53 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners.
The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth across core subjects. In English Language Arts and Reading, 22% of students perform at proficient levels or above, while 16% achieve proficiency in Mathematics. These results place Nowlin Middle at #2182 out of 2234 schools statewide, indicating significant opportunities for improvement in academic outcomes.
The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $52,789 and median home values average $114,200. About 15% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 18.3% of families experience poverty, reflecting the mixed economic circumstances of families the school serves. Located on South Hardy Avenue, Clifford H.
Nowlin Middle School sits in Independence's large suburban setting within Jackson County. The school serves families in the 64052 area, a community of over 22,000 residents seeking educational opportunities for their middle school students in this established Missouri suburb.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Clifford H. Nowlin Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Clifford H. Nowlin Middle — Students at Clifford H. Nowlin Middle score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.
How Clifford H. Nowlin Middle Compares
See how Clifford H. Nowlin Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 18% (2019) to 16% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
2800 S HARDY AVE, Independence, MO 64052
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clifford H. Nowlin Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THREE TRAILS ELEM. (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CENTER PLACE RESTORATION SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KC INTERNATIONAL-WALLACE (rated 6.7/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Kansas City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CASSELL PARK ELEMENTARY Independence | 0.4 mi | 3.1 |
| KORTE ELEM. Independence | 0.4 mi | 4.1 |
| THREE TRAILS ELEM. Independence | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| PITCHER ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| VAN HORN HIGH Independnce | 1.8 mi | 2.8 |
| PROCTER ELEM. Independence | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| SANTA FE TRAIL ELEM. Independence | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| JOHN W. LUFF ELEM. Independence | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| RAYTOWN MIDDLE Kansas City | 2.6 mi | 3.8 |
| CENTER PLACE RESTORATION SCHOOL Independence | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| FAIRMOUNT ELEM. Independence | 2.7 mi | 3.8 |
| BRYANT ELEM. Independence | 2.5 mi | 3.9 |
| TRUMAN HIGH Independence | 2.4 mi | 3.8 |
| SUGAR CREEK ELEM. Sugar Creek | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
| KC INTERNATIONAL-WALLACE Kansas City | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| ABRAHAM MALLINSON ELEMENTARY Sugar Creek | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| KIPP KC LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL Kansas City | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| LAUREL HILLS ELEM. Raytown | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ROGERS ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| THOMAS HART BENTON ELEM. Independence | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64052 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,981
Median Home Value
$131,100
Median Rent
$1,105/mo
Population
22,945
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
55.3%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Clifford H. Nowlin Middle has a median household income of $56,981. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $131,100, with a median rent of $1,105/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| RAYTOWN CENTRAL MIDDLE Raytown, MO | 4.6 |
| TROY SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Moscow Mills, MO | 4.6 |
| ROGERS MIDDLE St. Louis, MO | 4.4 |
| FIRE PRAIRIE MIDDLE Independence, MO | 4.8 |
| JOHN B. LANGE MIDDLE Columbia, MO | 4.8 |
| WOODRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL High Ridge, MO | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clifford H. Nowlin Middle
What grades does Clifford H. Nowlin Middle serve?
Clifford H. Nowlin Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Clifford H. Nowlin Middle?
Clifford H. Nowlin Middle has an enrollment of approximately 886 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clifford H. Nowlin Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Clifford H. Nowlin Middle is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clifford H. Nowlin Middle rank in MO?
Clifford H. Nowlin Middle is ranked #1923 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Clifford H. Nowlin Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Clifford H. Nowlin Middle has a composite rating of 4.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Clifford H. Nowlin Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clifford H. Nowlin Middle has 15.7% math proficiency and 26.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clifford H. Nowlin Middle a charter school?
No, Clifford H. Nowlin Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clifford H. Nowlin Middle a Title I school?
No, Clifford H. Nowlin Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clifford H. Nowlin Middle?
83.1% of students at Clifford H. Nowlin Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,110/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Independence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 886
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (816) 521-5380
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
INDEPENDENCE 30- District Enrollment
- 14,168
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,302
- District Rank
- #15 of 28
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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